NFL Draft 2011: Why the New York Jets Should Target Defense

After losing in the AFC Championship game for the second year in a row, it's hard for the New York Jets and their fan base to move on and focus on the upcoming season.  There is no better way to forget about the past and think about the future than to focus on the NFL Draft.

So, now that Jets fans have picked themselves up and dusted themselves off from yet another playoff loss, it is time to reassess this team and see what they need to do to get back to the AFC Championship game and beyond.

That starts with the NFL Draft.

In looking at the current Jets roster in preparation for the draft, I developed one critical theory: the Jets must use all six of their draft picks this year on the defensive side of the ball.  Every single one of them.

Here's why.

Need on the Defensive Line

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 12: Sione Pouha #91 of the New York Jets reacts the Miami Dolphins at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

For the second straight year, the Jets lost defensive tackle Kris Jenkins to injury.  This past season, Jenkins tore his ACL during the opening game of the season against the Baltimore Ravens.

It was a huge blow to the defense, as Jenkins was widely regarded as one of the best nose tackles in football, with the ability to command constant double teams at the nose of the Jets 3-4 defense.

However, Sione Pouha shifted over from defensive end to defensive tackle, and filled in admirably for the majority of the season.  Pouha was one of the more underrated players on the team, and with him in the lineup, the run defense didn't miss much of a beat.  Fellow unknown and defensive end Mike DeVito also played well starting opposite of Shaun Ellis at defensive end.

As well as Pouha played filling in for Jenkins, it is time for the Jets to find more of a long-term solution at defensive tackle, as well as adding some depth at the position. 

Ellis, though productive, will be 34 next season and will also be a free agent.  He is no lock to return, although I think he will be back with the team for one more year.

DeVito is a very nice player, but not really a starter on a top defensive team.

The Jets will need to use one or two of their picks to address the issues on the defensive line.

Age of the Linebackers

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 03: David Harris #52 of the New York Jets lines up against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Jets won 38-14. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Jets recently placed the franchise tag on linebacker David Harris, which was the right move and in the best interest of the team.  The tag will allow Harris and the Jets more time to work out a long-term deal, while guaranteeing that the 27-year-old will be back with the team next season.  Harris is the team's best tackler and one of the leaders of the defense.

Aside from Harris, the Jets have nothing but questions at linebacker.

Jason Taylor has probably played his last down in the NFL and is likely to retire.  Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas are both over the age of 30 and are beginning to see their production slip.  Thomas recorded just 31 tackles, the lowest number of his career since 2006, to go along with six sacks.

Bart Scott got a lot of publicity for his talk off the field, but on the field he had one of the worst seasons of his career.  Scott routinely missed tackles and struggled in pass coverage as well.

The Jets desperately need to add an established pass rusher, and will likely look to do so early in the draft.

Poor Play from the Safeties

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Brodney Pool #22 of the New York Jets runs down field after intercepting a pass intended for Emmanuel Sanders #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter of the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23,

In his first season with the Jets, Brodney Pool struggled mightily.  He was routinely beat in pass coverage, and only recorded one interception on the season.  While his play improved toward the end of the season, it probably won't be enough to keep him in the starting lineup.

Aside from the occasional big hit, Eric Smith was just as bad.

Jim Leonhard was having a good season before he broke his tibia a few days before the Jets 45-3 debacle in New England.  Leonhard was known as the "quarterback of the defense," responsible for most of the play calls.  He was also a solid tackler, but like the others, struggled to cover.  Leonhard, with some of the surest hands around, was also a valuable punt returner on special teams. 

Pool and Smith are both free agents.

These players' upside are extremely limited.  The Jets will need to use one of their draft picks, and maybe even their first rounder on a safety.

No More Cromartie?

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets runs back a kick by the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Image

One of the team's many free agents is cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who I thought was going to be one of the team's top priorities to re-sign.

After tagging Harris, many believed the Jets were going to focus on Cromartie and fellow free agent Santonio Holmes, choosing to let Braylon Edwards walk if they did not have enough money for all three.

Apparently it is the other way around.

Recent reports say the Jets are likely to re-sign both Holmes and Edwards before they move on to Cromartie.  If this is the case, he will likely sign elsewhere for more money.

This could be a problem for the Jets, because a strength of last year's defense would now become a weakness.  They have All-Pro Darrelle Revis, but not much else.  Drew Coleman is a free agent, and rookie Kyle Wilson was a huge disappointment in his first year with the team.  Wilson isn't ready to start opposite Revis.

The Jets gave what turned into a second-round pick to the San Diego Chargers for Cromartie, but it now appears they are serious about not bringing him back.

The team might have to look in to adding another corner via the draft.

Less Holes Offensively

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets is congratualted by Nick Mangold #74 and Matt Slauson #68 after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeate

The Jets are set at many offensive positions going into next season, especially if they are able to re-sign both Edwards and Holmes.

The team has Mark Sanchez, who they view as their quarterback of the future.  They also have young talent at running back, tight end, and across the offensive line.

If they do see a need on offense, it would be addressing the right side of the offensive line.  Branden Moore's and Damien Woody's futures with the Jets are both unclear.  Each player is set to make around $3 million next year, so it will be interesting to see if the Jets cut either player.

Rex Ryan

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets reacts during their 2011 AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Rex Ryan is a lot of things.  He is a good coach, a confident man and has a borderline cocky swagger about him.

Perhaps more than anything, though, he is a defensive genius.

Ryan has turned the Jets in to one of the best defensive teams in the NFL, and can get a lot of production from not a lot of talent.

Getting defensive talent to work with Ryan would only help matters.